Road rage claims one taxi driver

JAKARTA: A single, lethal blow to the head killed taxi driver Harun Harahap, 48, on Saturday evening, when he was involved in a fight with another motorist.

A quarrel started after Harahap's taxi brushed against a minivan in front of Mall Ambassador on Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio in South Jakarta at about 8 p.m.

Harahap and the minivan driver Edward Sinaga, 45, had a heated argument before the mall's security guards took them to the security post to settle their dispute.

Security guard Zulhari said the two had actually come to an agreement, "but as soon as they walked out of the post, Harahap and Sinaga began arguing again, and Sinaga hit Harahap in the head."

Harahap fell down and lost consciousness. He was then taken to Jakarta Hospital on Jl. Jendral Sudirman. He was declared dead at about 10 p.m.

The autopsy report issued by the Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital stated that Harahap died of a brain hemorrhage.

Sinaga was questioned later by the police. -- JP